Third Avenue Management’s Biggest Q3 Financial Sector Positions

Wall St. Watchdog reveals information regarding Third Avenue Management’s top holdings in the Financial sector for the quarter ending September 30th, 2011. The firm held 38 stocks in the Financial sector at the end of the quarter with an aggregate market value of $47.176 million.

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. (NYSE:WTM): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 31,920 shares with a market value of $13,411,507. This comprised 6.93% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 47,641 shares with a market value of $19,330,336. This comprised 15.1% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is 15,721. About Company: White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides property and casualty insurance, and reinsurance. The Company’s primary strategic goal is to invest in operating businesses in which management has knowledge and experience.

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:BAM): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 415,062 shares with a market value of $13,767,606. This comprised 7.11% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 335,042 shares with a market value of $9,230,407. This comprised 7.21% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -80,020. About Company: Brookfield Asset Management Inc is a global asset management company focused on property, infrastructure and renewable power. The Company owns office buildings in major business centers. Brookfield also owns and operates power generating plants, ports, railways, utilities and timberlands, and invests on behalf of third parties.

Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 82,185 shares with a market value of $7,657,998. This comprised 3.96% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 49,381 shares with a market value of $3,684,810. This comprised 2.88% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -32,804. About Company: Vornado Realty Trust is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust. The trust owns, manages and leases office properties in New York City, Washington, DC, and California. The Company also owns retail properties Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.

The Bank Of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 251,302 shares with a market value of $6,438,357. This comprised 3.33% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 187,514 shares with a market value of $3,485,885. This comprised 2.72% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -63,788. About Company: Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon) is a global financial services company. The Company provides financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services.

Tejon Ranch Co. (NYSE:TRC): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 164,038 shares with a market value of $5,593,696. This comprised 2.89% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 114,230 shares with a market value of $2,726,670. This comprised 2.13% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -49,808. About Company: Tejon Ranch Co. is a diversified real estate development and agri-business company owning land located in Los Angeles and Kern counties, California. The company is in the process of developing its land holdings along transportation corridors into master-planned business and residential communities.

National Western Life Insurance Company (NASDAQ:NWLI): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 23,846 shares with a market value of $3,802,722. This comprised 1.96% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 14,252 shares with a market value of $1,931,146. This comprised 1.51% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -9,594. About Company: National Western Life Insurance Company is a life insurance company. The Company sells life insurance and annuity products in the United States. National Western also accepts applications from and issues policies to residents of several Central and South American countries.

Hcc Insurance Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HCC): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 28,795 shares with a market value of $907,043. This comprised 0.47% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 43,152 shares with a market value of $1,167,262. This comprised 0.91% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is 14,357. About Company: HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. underwrites property and casualty insurance. The Company provides property insurance in the United States and marine, aviation, offshore energy, accident, and health insurance worldwide. HCC’s customers include ocean marine fleets, multinational energy businesses, and international aviation operations.

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACGL): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 29,917 shares with a market value of $954,951. This comprised 0.49% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 32,268 shares with a market value of $1,054,518. This comprised 0.82% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is 2,351. About Company: Arch Capital Group Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance and financial services company that provides reinsurance and insurance products on a worldwide basis.

Capital Southwest Corporation (NASDAQ:CSWC): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 11,658 shares with a market value of $1,075,684. This comprised 0.56% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 9,476 shares with a market value of $701,224. This comprised 0.55% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -2,182. About Company: Capital Southwest Corporation provides venture capital to support the development and growth of small and medium-sized businesses in varied industries throughout the United States. The Company’s investments are focused on opportunities for capital appreciation derived from early-stage financings, management buyouts, recapitalizations and industry consolidations.

Westwood Holdings Group Inc. (NYSE:WHG): On 06/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 20,379 shares with a market value of $776,440. This comprised 0.4% of the total portfolio. On 09/30/2011, Third Avenue Management reported holding 18,719 shares with a market value of $646,741. This comprised 0.51% of the total portfolio. The net change in shares for this position over the two quarters is -1,660. About Company: Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. provides investment advisory services to a broad range of institutional clients. The Company also provides trust and custodial services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

(Note: Data regarding Third Avenue Management’s stock holdings are sourced from whalewisdom.com. All data are assumed to be accurate.)